Cargo system with concealable rack for a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

Provided are a cargo system for supporting cargo, and a vehicle provided with the cargo system. The cargo system includes a rack to be arranged along a length of the vehicle. The rack includes a frame assembly, and a rack arm that is adjustable relative to the frame assembly. A coupling system couples the rack arm to the frame assembly in a recessed position and a deployed position. In the recessed position, a portion of the rack arm is disposed within an interior space between an external body panel of the vehicle and a side panel of a cargo bed, to be concealed from view when an exterior of the vehicle is observed. In the deployed position, the portion of the rack arm extends from the interior space, to be exposed externally of the interior space, for supporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This application relates generally to cargo management and, morespecifically, to an apparatus that is deployable from a concealed stateto support cargo being transported by the motor vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

Oversized cargo such as ladders, sheets of wood or other buildingmaterials, for example, can be conveniently transported atop a cargorack provided to a vehicle. Conventional cargo racks for such a purposeare typically secured in a fixed position on the roof of the vehicle.The oversized cargo can be rested on the cargo rack, and optionallysecured in place using ratcheting tie-down straps, for example. Althoughconventional cargo racks are easy to load and unload, they remainexposed on the exterior of the vehicle at all times, giving the vehiclean unsightly appearance even when they are not being used to supportoversized cargo.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the subject application involves a cargo systemfor supporting cargo on a vehicle. The cargo system includes a pluralityof racks to be arranged at different positions along a length of thevehicle comprising. The racks include a frame assembly configured tocooperate with an internal structure of the vehicle. A rack arm isadjustable relative to the frame assembly, and a coupling system couplesthe rack arm to the frame assembly in a plurality of differentpositions. The different positions include at least: (a) a recessedposition relative to a body panel of the vehicle, and (b) a deployedposition extending vertically above the body panel of the vehicle forsupporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle. A racksupport cooperates with the rack arm and is configured to support thecargo.

According to another aspect, the subject application involves a vehiclethat includes a set of ground-engaging wheels, and a body formed from aplurality of body panels. The body has a length extending in alongitudinal direction parallel with a driving direction of the vehicleand a width extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. Acargo system is installed on the vehicle to support cargo. The cargosystem includes at least a first rack and a second rack arranged atdifferent positions along the length of the vehicle. The first andsecond racks each include a frame assembly coupled to an internalstructure of the vehicle, and a rack arm adjustably coupled to the frameassembly by a coupling system. The coupling system couples the rack armto the frame assembly in a plurality of positions, including at least:(i) a recessed position relative to at least one of the body panels ofthe vehicle, and (ii) a deployed position where the rack arm extendsvertically above the at least one of the body panels of the vehicle forsupporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle. A racksupport is coupled to the rack arm and is configured to support thecargo.

The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide abasic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methodsdiscussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of thesystems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/ormethods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presentedlater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in thisspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form apart hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment ofa cargo system comprising a plurality of concealable racks;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a front portion of the vehicle in FIG.1 of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment of a cargo system comprisinga forward concealable rack in a deployed state;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle inFIG. 2A, with a rack support of the forward concealable rack adjusted ina vertical plane into a stowed orientation, in which the rack support issubstantially parallel with the rack arm;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle inFIG. 2B, with the rack arm partially stowed within a body of thevehicle;

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle inFIG. 2C, with the rack arm fully stowed within the body of the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment ofa cargo system comprising a plurality of concealable racks;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a front portion of the vehicle in FIG.3 equipped with an embodiment of a cargo system comprising a forwardconcealable rack in a deployed state;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle inFIG. 4A, with a rack support of the forward concealable rack adjusted ina horizontal plane relative to a rack arm, before being arranged in astowed orientation;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the vehicle in FIG. 4B, with the racksupport adjusted in a vertical plane relative to the rack arm to astowed orientation, in which the rack support is substantially parallelwith the rack arm;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the vehicle in FIG. 4C, with the rackarm fully stowed within a body of the vehicle;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with an embodimentof a cargo system comprising a plurality of concealable racks, theplurality of concealable racks comprising a forward rack and a mid rack;

FIG. 5B is a side, partially cutaway view of a rear portion of thevehicle in FIG. 5A, with the mid rack in a stowed state and a rear rackin a partially stowed state;

FIG. 5C is a side, partially cutaway view of the rear portion of thevehicle in FIG. 5A, with the mid rack and the rear rack in a deployedstate;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment ofa cargo system comprising a plurality of concealable racks, with a midrack in a deployed state; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment ofa cargo system comprising a plurality of concealable racks, withopposing mid racks in a deployed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language usedherein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which likenumerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in thedrawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

It is also to be noted that the phrase “at least one of”, if usedherein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of themembers, or a combination of more than one of the members. For example,the phrase “at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means inthe present application: the first widget, the second widget, or thefirst widget and the second widget. Likewise, “at least one of a firstwidget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the presentapplication: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, thefirst widget and the second widget, the first widget and the thirdwidget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget andthe second widget and the third widget.

To transport cargo as desired and maintain an aesthetically-pleasingappearance of a vehicle, the present disclosure is directed toward acargo system with at least one concealable rack, and a vehicle includingsuch a cargo system. The rack, in a deployed state, includes a racksupport that is supported by a rack arm and maintained at an elevationvertically above the portion of the vehicle where the cargo is to besupported while the vehicle is underway, traveling over a publicroadway. When not in use, the rack can be adjusted to a stowed state,where at least a portion of the rack arm that was exposed while the rackwas in the deployed state is concealed from view behind a body panel ofthe vehicle. A portion, or an entirety of the rack support canoptionally also be concealed from view behind the same, or a differentbody panel of the vehicle while the rack is in the stowed state. Withthe one or more racks in the stowed state, the vehicle can appear to bedevoid of the cargo system. Further, aerodynamic drag that wouldotherwise be attributed to portions of the rack being exposed to theelements while the vehicle is underway can be avoided by concealing suchportions of the rack behind the body panel of the vehicle while the rackis in the stowed state.

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10 equipped withan embodiment of a cargo system 12 comprising at least one, andoptionally a plurality of concealable racks, referred to generally at 14and specifically at 14A, 14B, 14C in FIG. 1. The vehicle is shown inFIG. 1 and described herein as a pickup truck such as a Ford F-150,F-250, F-350, etc.; Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 2500, etc.;RAM 1500, 2500, 2500, etc.; compact pickup trucks, and other suchvehicles, for example. However, the present disclosure is not solimited. Instead, embodiments of the present cargo system 12 can becompatible with any vehicle other than pickup truck such as a minivan,sedan, station wagon, or any other vehicle that can be driven overpublic roadways to carry cargo. For the sake of brevity and to clearlydescribe the present cargo system 12, however, the embodiment of thevehicle 10 shown in the drawings is a pickup truck that includes a truckbed 16 arranged behind a passenger cab 18 in which a driver andoptionally other occupants of the vehicle sit. The cargo system 12 isdescribed herein as supporting cargo at an elevation vertically above aroof 20 of the passenger cab 18, but embodiments of the cargo system 12can optionally support the cargo at an elevation that is verticallybelow a top of the roof 20. For example, the cargo can be supported atan elevation vertically above the truck bed 16, but below the elevationof the roof 20.

In addition to the roof 20, the body of the vehicle 10 also includes aplurality of body panels that collectively form the exterior skin of thevehicle 10. The body panels can include, for example, a front fender 22,a hood 24, a rear fender 26, sides 27 of the truck bed 16, and otherbody panels. Side bed caps 29 can extend between the sides 27 of thetruck bed 16 and respective fenders 26 to enclose a top of an interiorspace 38 (FIGS. 5A-5C) between the sides 27 of the truck bed 16 and therespective fenders 26. The vehicle's body has a length extending in alongitudinal direction along an axis 32 that is generally parallel witha straight-line driving direction (e.g., when the vehicle is beingdriven forward, in a straight line) of the vehicle 10. The vehicle'sbody has a width extending along an axis 34 that extends transversely tothe longitudinal direction.

The front fender 22 and the rear fender 26 each define a wheel well 28in which at least one ground-engaging wheel 30 of a wheel set isreceived. At least one, and optionally a plurality of the wheels 30 isdriven by a motor such as an internal combustion engine, a dieselengine, or an electric engine, for example, that is concealed from viewby the hood 24, while the hood 24 is closed.

The embodiment of the cargo system 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes aplurality (e.g., three) concealable racks 14A, 14B, 14C. The forwardrack 14A is arranged to support the cargo at a location forward of thepassenger cab 18. The mid rack 14B is arranged to support the cargo at alocation rearward of the passenger cab, adjacent to a bulkhead defininga forward wall of the truck bed 16. The rear rack 14C is arranged tosupport the cargo at a location rearward of the passenger cab, adjacentto a tailgate 36 defining a rear wall of the truck bed 16. The tailgate36 can be opened and closed to selectively grant access to an interiorof the truck bed 16. Although the embodiment of the cargo system 12shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of concealable racks 14 arrangedalong a driver's side of the vehicle 10, the present disclosure is notso limited. Instead, the vehicle 10 can include one concealable rack 14.For example, the cargo system 12 can include just the forward rack 14A,just the mid rack 14B, or just the rear rack 14C, to support the cargoin conjunction with another cargo support structure such as a roof rack(not shown) installed on the roof 20 of the vehicle 10. According toalternate embodiments described below, at least one concealable rack 14can be provided to the driver's side of the vehicle 10 and at least oneconcealable rack 14 can be provided to a passenger's side of the vehicle10.

Each concealable rack 14 includes a frame assembly 40 (FIGS. 5B and 5C)configured to cooperate with an internal structure 42 of the vehicle 10.Examples of the internal structure 42 can include a structural member ofthe vehicle 10 that affords the vehicle 10 its functional rigidity forapplications such as towing a trailer. According to alternateembodiments, the internal structure 42 can include an internal surfaceof a body panel, which primarily serves an aesthetic role on the vehicle10. The frame assembly 40 can include a rail, a track, a sleeve in whichat least a portion of a rack arm 44 of the rack 14 is received while therack 14 is in the stowed state, or any other structure that can couplethe rack arm 44 to the vehicle 10 in an adjustable manner. In otherwords, the frame assembly 40 is securely coupled to the internalstructure 42 of the vehicle. The rack arm 44 is configured to cooperatewith (e.g., fit within, travel along, etc.) the frame assembly to allowthe rack arm 44 to be at least partially received within the body of thevehicle 10 while the rack 14 is in the stowed state, and to protrudevertically above the body of the vehicle 10 while the rack 14 is in thedeployed state.

For example, the rack arm 44 shown in FIG. 1 can be a linear structureformed from a metal, metal alloy or other suitably-strong material tosupport the cargo loads imparted on the rack 14. The rack arm 44 can beformed from tubing having a round or oval cross-sectional shape, or canbe formed from so-called square tubing having a rectangular or squarecross-sectional shape. Embodiments of the rack arm 44 formed from tubingcan define a hollow interior passage to afford the rack arm 44 asuitable rigidity, yet minimize the weight of the rack arm 44 to allowmanual adjustment of the rack arm 44 between a recessed position and adeployed position, as described below. Other embodiments of the rack arm44 can be formed from as a solid member.

A rack support 46 cooperates with the rack arm and is configured tosupport the cargo. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the rack support46 forms an approximate right angle with the rack arm 44 and extendsinwardly (e.g., toward the passenger's side of the vehicle 10) from thedriver's side of the vehicle 10, toward a central region of the truckbed 16 while the rack 14 is in the deployed state. A rack 14 provided tothe passenger's side of the vehicle 10 can include a rack support 46that extends inwardly (e.g., toward the driver's side of the vehicle 10)from the passenger's side of the vehicle 10, toward a central region ofthe truck bed 16 while the rack 14 is in the deployed state.

A coupling system 48 (FIG. 5B) couples the rack arm 44 to the frameassembly 40 so the rack arm 44 can be adjusted to a plurality ofdifferent positions relative to the frame assembly 40. As shown in FIG.5B the coupling system 48 includes a flange formed about a periphery ofthe rack arm 44, a plurality of pins protruding from the rack arm 44, orany other suitable structure that can selectively engage the frameassembly 40 at different locations. According to other embodiments, thecoupling system 48 can be formed from the close proximity of opposingsurfaces of the rack arm 44 and the frame assembly 40. For example, arack arm 44 formed from round tubing can be received within a circularsleeve of the frame assembly 40. The sleeve can have an inside diameterslightly greater than the outside diameter of the rack arm 44. Suchadjustment allows the rack arm 44 to be telescopically received andadjusted to different positions within the sleeve to adjust the rack 14between the stowed state and the deployed state. One or more surfaces ofthe frame assembly 40 can optionally be provided with padding or anothersuitable sound-inhibiting material. Such a material can at leastpartially dissipate sounds that would otherwise occur if the rack arm 44or another portion of the rack 14 were to vibrate against, or makecontact with the portion(s) of the frame assembly 40 without thematerial while the vehicle 10 is underway. According to otherembodiments, the rack arm 44 or other portion(s) of the rack 14 can besecured by a tether or within a sleeve while in the stowed state to atleast partially mitigate noises caused by the rack arm 44 or otherportion of the rack 14 vibrating or making contact with portions of theframe assembly 40 or vehicle 10. Thus, noises such as rattling by therack caused by the road or other terrain over which the vehicle 10 istraveling can be at least partially mitigated while the rack is in thestowed state.

To deploy the rack 14 to the deployed state, the rack arm 44 is adjustedrelative to the frame assembly 40 to at least partially, and optionallyfully extend from the interior space 38 (FIGS. 5A-5C) in the upwarddirection. Fully adjusted, the rack arm 44 supports the rack support 46at the elevation where the cargo is to be supported. With the rack arm44 fully adjusted, the coupling system 48 can engage the frame assembly40 and/or a portion of the vehicle 10 other than the frame assembly 40(e.g., side bed cap 29 of the truck bed 16) and maintain the rack arm 44at a fixed, extended position. A locking mechanism can optionally beengaged to interfere with the ability of the rack arm 44 to be adjustedfrom the fixed, extended position.

To adjust the rack from the deployed state to the stowed state, anoptional locking mechanism can be disengaged to permit adjustment of thecoupling system to release the rack arm 44, or at least adjustment ofthe rack arm 44 relative to the frame assembly 40. For the embodiment ofFIG. 1, wherein the rack support 46 is in a fixed orientation relativeto the rack arm 44, adjustment of the rack arm 44 can optionally alignthe rack support 46 with an elongate aperture 50 formed in a portion ofthe vehicle 10 that is to receive the rack support 46. In FIG. 1, theaperture 50 is formed in the front fender 22 and the side bed cap 29 onthe driver's side of the vehicle 10. Thus, the orientation of the racksupport 46 is pivoted about a longitudinal axis of the rack arm 44approximately 90° in the direction of arrow 52 from the orientation inwhich the rack support 46 supports cargo. Pivotal adjustment of the racksupport 46 can optionally span an arch in a plane in which the racksupport 46 is located in the deployed state. The rack arm 44 can then belowered relative to the vehicle 10 and at least partially, andoptionally fully recessed within the interior space 38, with the racksupport 46 and the rack arm 44 entering the interior space 38 throughthe aperture 50.

With the rack 14 in the stowed state, the rack arm 44 is adjusted to bemostly, and optionally fully recessed within the interior space 38 to behidden from view by at least one body panel of the vehicle 10. The racksupport 46 can also be at least partially, and optionally fully receivedwithin the interior space 38. To be hidden from view, the recessedportion of the rack arm 44 and/or the rack support 46 is not viewable byan observer viewing an exterior of the vehicle 10 from a distance.Although a portion of the frame assembly 40, or even a portion of therack 14 may be viewed from beneath the vehicle or by looking down intothe aperture 50 from above, the body panels of the vehicle 10 shieldportions, and optionally an entirety of the rack 14 from view when thevehicle 10 is observed from the side. In other words, the vehicle 10 canappear as being devoid of the rack 14 while the rack 14 is in thedeployed state 14.

FIGS. 2A-2D show an alternate embodiment of a rack 14 that includes arack support 46 that is pivotally coupled to the rack arm 44, andincludes a cover 54. Pivotal adjustment of the rack support 46 allowsthe aperture 50 through which the rack support 46 and rack arm 44 arerecessed into the interior space to have a smaller footprint than theelongate embodiment of the aperture 50 described with reference toFIG. 1. The rack 14 is shown in the deployed state in FIG. 2A. To placethe rack 14 in the stowed state shown in FIG. 2D, the rack support 46 ispivoted downward about a hinge 56, shown in broken lines in FIGS. 2A-2D,in the direction indicated by arrow 58. For example, the rack support 46can be oriented substantially orthogonal (e.g., ±15°) to, or at anothersuitable angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the rack arm 44 in thedeployed state. The rack support 46 is pivoted about the hinge 56 in thedirection of arrow 58 such that a distal end of the rack support 46travels along an arch in a plane of the rack arm 44, downwardly towardthe vehicle 10, and approaches the rack arm 44. Fully adjusted, the racksupport 46 can optionally abut against, or be arranged parallel with therack arm 44 as shown in FIG. 2B. The rack arm 44, and the adjacent racksupport 46 following pivotal adjustment about the hinge 56, can then belowered relative to the vehicle 10 in the direction indicated by arrow60 in FIGS. 2B and 2C, and at least partially, and optionally fullyinserted into the interior space 38 through the aperture 50.

The cover 54 can be coupled to the rack support 46 and/or the rack arm44 to be adjusted to a plurality of positions as a result of the pivotaladjustment of the rack support 46 about the hinge 56. For example, withthe rack support 46 positioned to support cargo while the rack 14 is inthe deployed state, a major plane of the cover 54 can be verticallyoriented, with an externally-exposed surface facing laterally outward,generally away from a driver's side of the vehicle 10 as shown in FIG.2A. The externally-exposed surface includes the surface of the cover 54that is exposed externally of the body of the vehicle 10 while the rack14 is in the stowed state as described below. As a result of pivotallyadjusting the rack support 46 to the orientation shown in FIG. 2B, theexternally-exposed surface of the cover 54 can be adjusted so the majorplane of the cover 54 is substantially horizontal. With the rack 14 inthe stowed state, as shown in FIG. 2D, the rack arm is fully receivedwithin the interior space 38, and the cover 54 is positionedapproximately flush with at least a portion of the body panel or othersurface at least partially defining the aperture 50.

At least the externally-exposed surface of the cover 54 can be formedfrom the same material as, or from a different material from theneighboring body panel (e.g., fender, side bed cap 29 of truck bed,etc.) or other surface defining at least a portion of the aperture 50.The externally-exposed surface can be painted, molded, or otherwiseprovided with a color that matches, or at least closely resembles theneighboring body panel or other surface defining at least a portion ofthe aperture 50. The flush arrangement of the externally-exposed surfaceof the cover 54 relative to the neighboring body panel or other surfaceprovides the body of the vehicle 10 with a continuous appearance, as ifthe rack 14 were absent, when the vehicle equipped with the rack 14 inthe stowed state is viewed from afar.

FIGS. 3 and 4A-4D show other embodiments of the rack 14 installed on thevehicle 10. The embodiments of the rack 14 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4Dare similar to those in FIGS. 2A-2D, but the orientation of at least onerack support 46 is pivotally adjusted in at least two planes. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4D, to adjust the rack 14 from thedeployed state to the stowed state, the rack support 46 can be pivotallyadjusted as follows:

(i) From a substantially horizontal orientation (shown in broken linesreferred to as 46A in FIG. 3) in which the rack support supports cargoto another substantially horizontal orientation (shown in broken lines46B in FIG. 3) that is approximately 90° about the rack arm 44 from theoriginal horizontal orientation 46A. The rack support 46 moves in adirection (indicated at 62 in FIGS. 3 and 4A) spanning an arch in thehorizontal plane in which the rack support 46 is located while the rack14 is in the deployed state.

(ii) From the adjusted horizontal orientation 46B, the rack support 46is pivoted about the hinge 56 in the direction of arrow 64 (FIGS. 3 and4B) such that a distal end of the rack support 46 travels along an archin a plane of the rack arm 44, downwardly toward the vehicle 10, andapproaches the rack arm 44. Fully adjusted, the rack support 46 canoptionally abut against, or be arranged parallel with the rack arm 44 asshown in FIG. 4C. The rack arm 44, and the adjacent rack support 46 thathas been pivotally adjusted about the hinge 56, can then be loweredrelative to the vehicle 10 in the direction indicated by arrow 66 inFIGS. 3 and 4C, and at least partially, and optionally fully insertedinto the interior space 38 through the aperture 50. Again, the rack 14in the stowed state can be provided with the cover 54 that provides thebody of the vehicle 10 with a continuous appearance, as if the rack 14were absent, when the vehicle equipped with the rack 14 in the stowedstate is viewed from afar, as shown in FIG. 4D.

FIGS. 5A-5C show additional embodiments of the rack 14 provided to avehicle 10. According to the present embodiments, the rack 14 isconfigured to allow passage of a portion of the rack arm 44 through theaperture 50 in a first orientation, and to interfere with passage of therack arm 44 through the aperture 50 in a second orientation. As shown inFIG. 5A, the rack arm 44 can have a rectangular cross-sectional shapehaving different length and width dimensions. The rack 14, in thedeployed state as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C, includes a rack arm 44 thatextends across and beyond the aperture 50, to rest atop the side bed cap29. The portions of the rail arm 44 that extend beyond the aperture 50maintain the rack arm's deployed position above the side bed cap 29. Toplace the rack 14 in the stowed state, the rack support 46 is pivoted ina downward direction about the hinge 56 or other pivot point, generallytoward the rack arm 44 in the direction of arrow 64 as described above.The rack arm 44 is pivoted approximately 90° in the direction indicatedgenerally by arrow 66 to align the cross-sectional shape of the rack arm44 with the aperture 50. At least a portion of the aligned rack arm canbe inserted into the interior space 38 through the aperture 50.

Rather than being supported by a portion of the rack 14, the cover 54 ofthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5C is separately adjustable to coverthe aperture 50 once the rack 14 has been returned to the stowed state.For example, the cover 54 can be a separate, standalone structure thatis manually inserted, at least partially, into the aperture 50 toprovide the body with the continuous appearance as described above.According to alternate embodiments, the cover 54 can be slidable, alonga track provided to the side bed cap 29. Regardless of the configurationof the cover 54, the externally-exposed surface of the cover 54 canmatch, or closely resemble the finish of the neighboring body panel(s).

To return the rack 14 to the deployed state, the rail arm 44 can be atleast partially retrieved from the interior space 38 through theaperture as shown in FIG. 5B. Once sufficiently retrieved, the rack arm44 is pivoted about 90° to again cause the rack arm 44 to extend beyondthe dimensions of the side bed cap 29.

FIG. 6 shows other embodiments of the rack that include a rack arm 44having a support notch 68. The rack arm 44 of the present embodiments isformed from square tubing, and is at least partially receivable withinthe interior space 38 as described herein. In the stowed state, the racksupport 46 is arranged with a longitudinal axis thereof arrangedparallel with a longitudinal axis of the rack arm 44. The arrangement ofthe rack support 46 for the rack 14 in the stowed state is shown inbroken lines 46C in FIG. 6. To convert the rack 14 to the deployedstate, the rack support 46 is pivoted upward about a hinge 56 in thedirection indicated by arrow 70. Upon reaching asubstantially-horizontal orientation, the rack support 46 is movedlaterally, in the direction indicated by arrow 72, to be seated in thesupport notch 68. A bottom surface of the rack support 46 rests on asubstantially-horizontal floor of the L-shaped support notch 68 toimprove the stability and the load-capacity of the rack support 46 withthe rack 14 in the deployed state.

The embodiments described above include one or more racks 14 arrangedalong a driver's side of the vehicle 10. However, as noted above, one ormore racks 14 can be arranged along the driver's side of the vehicle 10,along the passenger's side of the vehicle 10, or both the driver's sideand the passenger's side of the vehicle 10. For example, opposing racks14A, 14B can be arranged at similar locations along the axis 32 (FIG.1), but on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle 10 as shown in FIG. 7.The rack support 46 of each rack 14A, 14B can be sufficient such thatthe rack support 46 provided to the racks 14A, 14B meet, or are closelyarranged to each other at a location between the lateral sides of thevehicle 10. The opposing distal ends of the rack supports 46 can becoupled together for added support (e.g., a sleeve can extends over aportion of each opposing distal end of the rack supports 46), to enhancethe load-carrying capacity of the racks 14A, 14B. Although the racksupports 46 described and shown herein include a distal flange 72 thatextends upward adjacent to the distal end of the rack supports 46,embodiments of the rack support 46 can include a top, cargo contactingsurface that is planar. Such embodiments can collectively form a planarsurface spanning a width of the vehicle between the opposing racks 14A,14B for carrying wide cargo such as 4 ft.×8 ft. sheets of plywood, forexample.

Illustrative embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the above devices and methodsmay incorporate changes and modifications without departing from thegeneral scope of this invention. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations within the scope of the present invention.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cargo system for supporting cargo on a vehicle, the cargo system comprising: a rack to be arranged along a length of the vehicle, wherein the rack comprises: (i) a frame assembly configured to cooperate with an internal structure of the vehicle, (ii) a rack arm that is adjustable relative to the frame assembly, (iii) a coupling system that couples the rack arm to the frame assembly in a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions comprising: (a) a recessed position in which a portion of the rack arm is disposed within an interior space between an external body panel of the vehicle and a side panel of a cargo bed, to be concealed from view when an exterior of the vehicle is observed, and (b) a deployed position in which the portion of the rack arm extends from the interior space, to be exposed externally of the interior space, for supporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle, and (iv) a rack support that cooperates with the rack arm and is configured to support the cargo.
 2. The cargo system of claim 1, wherein the rack support is pivotally coupled to the rack arm by a hinge, and the rack support is pivotally adjustable about a pivot point established by the hinge between: a stowed orientation in which a portion of the rack support is positioned adjacent to the rack arm, and a deployed orientation in which the portion of the rack support extends generally away from the rack arm.
 3. The cargo system of claim 1, wherein the frame member is configured to cooperate with the internal structure of the vehicle at a location that is concealed by the external body panel of the vehicle when an exterior of the vehicle is observed.
 4. The cargo system of claim 1 further comprising a lock that maintains the rack arm in the deployed position relative to the frame member.
 5. The cargo system of claim 1 further comprising a lock that maintains the rack arm in the recessed position relative to the frame member.
 6. The cargo system of claim 1 further comprising a second rack, wherein the frame assembly of the rack cooperates with a first internal structure, and a frame assembly of the second rack cooperates with a second internal structure, different from the first internal structure, that is arranged apart from the first internal structure along a lengthwise direction of the vehicle.
 7. The cargo system of claim 1, wherein the rack support is pivotal in a horizontal plane at an elevation vertically above the portion of the vehicle, the rack support being adjustable between: a first orientation substantially parallel with a lengthwise direction of the vehicle, and a second orientation substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the vehicle.
 8. The cargo system of claim 1, wherein the coupling system comprises a portion of the rack arm having a shape that passes through an aperture in a body panel of the vehicle in a first orientation and does not pass through the aperture in the body panel of the vehicle in a second orientation.
 9. A vehicle comprising: a set of ground-engaging wheels; a body formed from a plurality of body panels, the body having a length extending in a longitudinal direction parallel with a driving direction of the vehicle and a width extending transversely to the longitudinal direction; a cargo bed for transporting objects, the cargo bed comprising side panels defining opposing lateral sides of the cargo bed; and a cargo system for supporting cargo on the vehicle, the cargo system comprising: a rack comprising: (i) a frame assembly coupled to an internal structure of the vehicle, (ii) a rack arm adjustably coupled to the frame assembly by a coupling system, wherein the coupling system couples the rack arm to the frame assembly in a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions comprising: (a) a recessed position in which a portion of the rack arm is disposed within an interior space between an external body panel of the vehicle and a side panel on a common side of the cargo bed, and (b) a deployed position in which the portion of the rack arm extends from the interior space, to be exposed externally of the interior space, for supporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle, and (iii) a rack support that is coupled to the rack arm and is configured to support the cargo.
 10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the rack support of the rack is pivotally coupled to the rack arm by a hinge, and the rack support pivots about a pivot point established by the hinge between: a stowed orientation in which a portion of the rack support is positioned adjacent to the rack arm, and a deployed orientation in which the portion of the rack support extends generally away from the rack arm.
 11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the frame member cooperates with the internal structure of the vehicle at a location that is concealed by at least one of the body panels of the vehicle when an exterior of the vehicle is observed.
 12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the rack further comprises a lock that maintains the rack arm in the deployed position relative to the frame member.
 13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the rack further comprises a lock that maintains the rack arm in the recessed position relative to the frame member.
 14. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the cargo system further comprises a second rack comprising a second frame assembly, wherein the frame assembly of the rack and the second frame assembly are configured to cooperate with different internal structures, arranged at different locations along the length of the vehicle.
 15. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the rack support is pivotal in a horizontal plane at an elevation vertically above a portion of the vehicle, the rack support being adjustable between: a first orientation substantially parallel with a lengthwise direction of the vehicle, and a second orientation substantially perpendicular with a widthwise direction of the vehicle.
 16. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the coupling system comprises a portion of the rack arm having a shape that passes through an aperture in at least one of the body panels of the vehicle in a first orientation, and does not pass through the aperture in the at least one of the body panels of the vehicle in a second orientation. 